Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Returned to Normal Chapter 80: Returned to Normal As the morning announcement boomed through the academy, Aiden, Sevan, and Adrian were already up, having avoided the worst of the prank’s aftermath.

While the rest of the school was still dealing with the consequences of the blueberry-dyed water, the three of them had remained unaffected, thanks to their careful choice of using drinking water the night before.

“Attention, students.

The water supply has now returned to normal.

If you are still suffering from blue stains, simply wash the affected areas, and they will fade.

That is all.” A split second of silence followed, then a series of groans and exasperated yells echoed through the dormitories.

“Are you serious?

That’s all we had to do?” someone cried from down the hall.

Adrian, who had been sitting comfortably on his bed, let out a low whistle.

“Well, that’s unfortunate.” Sevan adjusted his uniform collar and shook his head.

“I do feel a little bad for them,” he admitted, though there was an unmistakable hint of amusement in his voice.

“Some of them spent hours last night trying to scrub it off.” Aiden crossed his arms, watching the students rush past their open door, some of them still faintly blue around the edges.

“It was kind of impressive how long it lasted, though.” “Oh, definitely.” Adrian smirked.

“I mean, if someone were behind this, I’d say it was a stroke of genius.” Sevan gave him a flat look.

“Please don’t sound so proud of it.” By the time they made their way to the washrooms to freshen up for the day, the chaos unfolding around them was nothing short of spectacular.

Students crowded around the sinks, scrubbing furiously, while others simply stood there in disbelief.

“Wait,” Peter muttered, running a wet cloth over his cheek, watching as the blue hue disappeared instantly.

“That’s it?

It just washes off now?” Another student groaned, slumping against the sink.

“I used three different cleansing potions last night.

Three!” Adrian leaned casually against the wall and muttered, “I bet someone out there shaved their head thinking it wouldn’t come off.” Sevan sighed.

“Adrian.” “What?

I’m just saying.” Aiden watched the chaos unfold with an amused expression.

He wasn’t about to admit anything, but seeing the aftermath of the prank almost made the near-disaster with Professor Flinders worth it.

Almost.

“Well,” Sevan said, fixing his sleeves, “at least now they can go back to looking normal.” Adrian snorted.

“Define ‘normal.'” By the time breakfast rolled around, the announcement had faded into background chatter.

The Great Hall buzzed with students eagerly discussing their plans for the day.

Some were still rubbing their skin raw in an attempt to remove the last traces of blue, while others were relieved that the ordeal was finally over.

Aiden sat at their usual table, watching the scene unfold.

“I still can’t believe people didn’t realise it was the water,” Adrian said, taking a bite of toast.

“All they had to do was think for two seconds.” Sevan sighed.

“Not everyone is as paranoid as you.” “I call it being prepared.” Aiden smirked but said nothing, focusing instead on his meal.

His wrist was still sore from the fall Shiloh had caused, but he had gotten used to working through the discomfort.

As they ate, Adrian suddenly leaned back and stretched.

“We’ve got a break after this, yeah?” Sevan nodded.

“A short one before our next class.” “Then let’s go to the training hall,” Adrian suggested.

“No point in sitting around when we could be doing something useful.” Sevan hesitated.

“It might be packed with students trying to shake off the embarrassment of being blue all day.” “Then we better get there first,” Adrian said, already standing.

Aiden agreed.

It had been a while since they’d properly trained, and after everything that had happened lately, he knew they needed to stay sharp.

The three of them made their way through the halls, avoiding groups of students who were still rubbing their arms or faces, muttering about how stubborn the dye had been.

By the time they reached the training hall, Sevan’s prediction was proving true- it was already crowded.

The massive space, designed to accommodate all combat types, was alive with movement.

The terrain shift with enchantments to create different battle scenarios, and each section was designated for different fighting styles.

The floor was divided into several sections, each tailored to different kinds of training.

One part featured a wide sparring area covered in reinforced stone, designed to withstand even the most powerful attacks.

Another section was dedicated to agility drills, with floating platforms that shifted unpredictably mid-air.

Along the walls, mannequins enchanted for target practice stood in neat rows, some built to absorb magic while others dodged and retaliated.

At the far end of the hall, a weapons rack gleamed under the light, stocked with training versions of various blades, staffs, and ranged weapons.

For those who preferred unarmed combat, there were sandbags and wooden dummies that adjusted their resistance depending on the user’s strength.

The mage section, where Aiden, Sevan, and Amihan usually trained, was filled with students casting spells at floating targets.

The warriors’ side echoed with the clash of swords and shields, while assassins darted between shadows, honing their speed and precision.

Supporters were grouped together, refining healing techniques and defensive spells.

“We need to claim a spot fast,” Sevan said, scanning the area.

Aiden’s eyes flickered across the room, taking in the different groups training.

That’s when he spotted them-Shiloh, standing with his new lackeys, Ambrose and Lochan.

Ambrose, as always, wasn’t actually doing anything.

With his regeneration ability, he had no reason to dodge attacks or even defend himself.

He just stood there, watching with arms crossed.

Lochan, however, was actively helping Shiloh, his foresight ability making sure Shiloh was always one step ahead.

Aiden frowned.

It made sense why Shiloh had chosen them to replace Jarek and Rupert.

Ambrose was nearly impossible to injure, and Lochan ensured Shiloh could predict any move before it happened.

Adrian followed Aiden’s gaze and scoffed.

“Figures.” Sevan exhaled.

“Just ignore them.” Adrian smirked.

“Easier said than done.” Aiden forced himself to turn away.

He wasn’t here to watch Shiloh- he was here to practice.

As they made their way toward the exit of the training hall, Aiden felt a sharp chill run down his spine at the sound of a familiar voice.

“Well, well, well.

If it isn’t the academy’s trio of losers,” Shiloh drawled, loud enough for half the hall to hear.

Aiden clenched his jaw but didn’t turn.

He could already picture the smug expression on Shiloh’s face, flanked by Ambrose and Lochan.

“Didn’t think you’d actually show up here,” Shiloh continued, his tone dripping with mockery.

“Figured you’d all be too busy worrying about how to kill our kind or licking your wounds.” Adrian halted in his tracks, shoulders tensing, but before he could spin around, Sevan grabbed his arm.

“Don’t,” Sevan murmured firmly.

Aiden glanced at him.

Sevan’s face was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to his voice.

“Cowards now too?” Shiloh sneered.

“Not surprising.

You always hide behind your little act, don’t you, Sevan?

Always pretending to be the good one, hoping it’ll keep you safe.” Aiden felt Adrian’s arm twitch under Sevan’s grip, but Sevan didn’t let go.

Instead, he stepped forward slightly, angling himself between them and Shiloh.

“Let it go,” Sevan said, voice steady but low enough that only Aiden and Adrian could hear.

“He wants us to react.

Don’t give him what he wants.” Shiloh waited, expecting a response, but when none came, he scoffed.

“Pathetic,” he muttered before turning back to Lochan and Ambrose, clearly bored now that they weren’t engaging.

Adrian exhaled sharply, still visibly irritated, but he allowed Sevan to steer them toward the exit.

Aiden didn’t say anything, but he knew that if Sevan hadn’t stepped in, Adrian would’ve started a fight right then and there.

Once they were out of earshot, Adrian muttered, “You know, one of these days, I’m not going to hold back.” Sevan sighed.

“I know.

I just hope it’ll be worth it when you do.” Aiden glanced back once, watching as Shiloh continued his training with Lochan and Ambrose.

He could still hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears, not from fear but from anger.

Shiloh had already hurt him once, and he wasn’t about to give him another chance.

Sevan was right.

Giving Shiloh attention was exactly what he wanted.

Aiden forced himself to turn away.

He wasn’t here to watch Shiloh- he was here to train.

For the next hour, they pushed themselves hard.

Aiden focused on spellcasting speed, Sevan worked on precision, and Adrian experimented with magic-enhanced movement.

Despite the soreness in his wrist, Aiden refused to slow down.

Meanwhile, across the hall, Shiloh continued his own training.

With Lochan predicting attacks and Ambrose taking hits without flinching, it was obvious they were preparing for Jarek and Shiloh’s duel.

By the time their break was over, the three of them were exhausted but satisfied.

As they left, Aiden flexed his fingers, testing his wrist.

It still hurt, but he could manage.

“We should do this more often,” Sevan said.

Adrian grinned.

“Oh, we will.

Something tells me we’re going to need it.”